McCay’s fantasies engage us by giving us little things that draw us from the real world. The things that McCay writes with in the comics are fantasies because they do not happen in real life. Some examples of how the things are just fantasies is like in the comic pictured above the mushrooms are so much taller than the clown and child. This particular comic reminds me of Alice in Wonderland and how when she drinks the liquid that makes her small to where everything is bigger than her.
A lot of kids growing up picture the most impossible things happening, but it is so interesting because seeing some of them come to life in this comic is incredible. While reading the comics and noticing how the impossible is coming to life draws my attention as well as others. Also, while using the fantasies the cool colors and drawings and characters are a great way to also grab our attention.
The comic that is pictured above reminds me of the movie The Wizard of Oz and how Dorothy had to follow the yellow brick road to get to the Emerald City in order to get back home. However, with this strip of Little Nemo in Slumberland he was invited to go to Slumberland and to go over the enchanted bridge that leads to the Palace of Good King Morphews which is where I am reminded of the Wizard of Oz movie. Another thing that points to the Wizard of Oz is when he is turned into a monkey to get over the forbidden bridge. But with the Wizard of Oz there were flying monkeys when Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow went through the dark woods, but the monkeys ended up tearing apart the Scarecrow. In Little Nemo before he could be taken to the Palace, he was awakened by his father saving him from the bad dream.
Going back to the topic of fantasies McCay writes and draws out the fears children and ends the dream or nightmare by having Little Nemos parents awaken him and comfort him. This same behavior happens in real life when children have nightmares and their parents come to comfort them. Another thing I notice is that he put clowns into the comics to go along with the fear aspect of the fantasy he is drawing out. I honestly feel like children being able to see clowns in a fun and colorful comic might help them get over the fear of seeing or being near them because they see that the clowns are actually not that scary due to the use of the pretty colors.
McCay does a really great job bringing his definition of fantasy to life throughout his comics. The way he uses the fears and hopes of childhood within his comics really draws me in because I can relate and connect things to the comics like I did with the Wizard of Oz. Also after reading the comics I can officially say “According to McCay pigs do fly” when my dad says I can do something when pigs fly.
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